Keg lifting devices

ABSTRACT

A lifting device for a keg comprises two C-shaped members interpivoted at one end and forming an annular structure in a closed position, said C-shaped members having a groove along the inside surface thereof and entirely about the inside periphery of said structure, said groove adapted to surround and coact with a spout or tap assembly associated with and rigidly fixed to said keg, and handle means extending outwards from said C-shaped members for lifting said keg when said groove is accommodating said spout.

Unite tea tent 11 1 Reisinger 5] Apr. 17, 1973 15 1 KEG LIUFTING DEVICES 2.961405 l2/l960 Herrick .294/31 R [76] Inventor: James F. Reisinger, 17 Fourth St.,

- Prmza I ExammerEv0n C. Blunk East B uns k, NJ. 08816 n r We Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry [22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1970 ArmrneyArthur Lv Plevy 21 A l. ,627 1 p NO 80 57 ABSTRACT (52 us. c1. ..294/16, 294/31 R A for a keg comprses two.c"shaped members mterpivoted at one end and forming an an- [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 7/12 nular structure in a closed position, said C-shaped [58] Field of Search ..294/l5, 16,113,

294/114 104 31 R members having a groove along the inside surface thereof and entirely about the inside periphery of said structure, said groove adapted to surround and coact [56] References Cited with a spout or tap assembly associated with and UNITED STATES PATENTS rigidly fixed to said keg, and handle means extending outwards from said C-shaped members for lifting said 601,639 4/1898 Doyle ..294/l6 keg when aid groove is accommodating said Spout. 2,749,l73 6/1956 Peterson i i ..294/1l3 2.843,4l5 7/1958 Jacobs ..294/31 R 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures KEG LIFTIING unvrcas BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to a lifting device and, more particularly, to such devices adapted for lifting kegs or similar articles by coacting with a spout or tapping device associated with such kegs.

A keg such as the type for storing beer or other fluids is usually placed in a refrigerator or otherwise stored until needed. When the keg is finally utilized, it has to be tapped in order for the fluid to be removed as desired.

A tap or spout mechanism is inserted into a tapping opening which is usually provided in the head end of the keg and is defined as a cylindrical sleeve having a radially outwardly extending flange.

A unit generally designated as tavern unit is then secured in the tapping opening of the keg or container. After tap insertion the keg is then moved or transported to a more permanent location until the fluid contents are removed.

Such kegs typically weight in the vicinity of 200 pounds. If the keg was under refrigeration, condensation is formed on all surfaces. Such a unit becomes very difficult to grasp and therefore to be transported by a tavern keeper and so on.

Hence, it is well known that on various occasions such kegs have been dropped during transport and have seriously injured the tavern keeper or other person desiring to place the tapped unit at the final location. Such injuries have resulted in bone damage and fractures to the feet and legs of such individuals.

This invention relates to apparatus which coacts with a collar or flange assembly typically formed about the tavern tap or spout mechanism and provides a large lifting advantage for the person transporting a tapped keg in order to prevent such injury. Examples of such keg taps or spouts having such accommodating collars may be had by reference to US. Pat. No. 3,228,413 entitled KEG TAPPING DEVICE, filed on Apr. 9, I964, and issued on Jan. 11,1966, to one F. F. Stevens, Jr.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Apparatus for aiding in lifting a keg or similar article by coacting with a spout assembly rigidly fixed to the keg comprises two interpivoted C shaped jaw members having the bowed inner surfaces facing each other and each having a groove or channel along the entire length of said inside surface which groove as positioned is continuous about the inside periphery of said C shaped members when said jaws are placed in a closed position defining an annular structure, the inside diameter of said annular structure being less than the diameter of said spout; said groove being dimensioned to accommodate said spout about a collar of said spout when said jaws are in said closed position to surround said collar. Handle means extend from said jaws and facilitate the lifting of said keg when said groove is accommodating said collar of the spout assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a keg lifting device according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the keg lifting device in an open position.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view partly in section ofa keg lifting device about to coact with a tap or spout assembly fixed to the head end surface ofa keg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 10 references a keg lifting device, comprising two C shaped jaw members 14 and 15 interpivoted at one end by a pivot or hinge member 17.

The pivot assembly can be seen by referring to FIG. 2. The C shaped member 14 has a flange at one end with an aperture therein. The C shaped jaw member 15 has a flange accommodating channel at the corresponding end thereof with an aperture through the end to align with the aperture in the flange of member 14. A suitable pin or rivet-like dowel is inserted through the corresponding holes in members 14 and 15. The pin has top and bottom flanges at each end, which flanges are formed after insertion and necessary to prevent the pin from dislodging.

The above mechanism is a simple pivot assembly thus permitting movement of members 14 and 15 with respect to each other about the pivot point 17. Other suitable pivot arrangements may be utilized as well.

Also extending outwardly from each C shaped member 14 and 15 are handle members 11, integrally formed therewith and adapted to aid in lifting the jaws l4 and 15 together with the keg and spout assembly as will be explained subsequently.

It is of course apparent that the handles 11 can be otherwise coupled to the jaw assemblies 14 and 15 by means of screws, rivets and so on. However, the integral assembly is particularly adapted to provide an economical means of manufacturing and casting such apparatus.

The jaws l4 and 15 and integral handle assembly 11 are fabricated from a suitable metallic material, such as aluminum, steel, etc., and may be pre-casted by means of a mold or form.

FIG. 1 shows the jaws l4 and 15 in a closed position with the ends of the C shaped jaw members furthest from pivot 17 in a closed position thus forming an annular structure.

Each C shaped member 14 and 15 has a groove 19 along the inside surface and arranged to be continuous about the periphery of the annular structure in the closed position of FIG. 1.

A latching member 18 and a suitable recessed catch 26 are provided on the ends of the C shaped jaw members l4 and 15 to latch the annular structure thus formed in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is useful in showing the groove 19 in greater detail.

FIG. 4 shows a spout collar 32 in phantom, which collar is associated with a spout or tapping apparatus 33 of the type normally utilized with a keg and referred to as a tavern unit.

The lifting device including the jaw members 14 and 15 is shown in an open position partially surrounding the spout collar 32. The device is dimensioned so that the inner diameter formed by the annular ring of FIG. 1 is less than the diameter of collar 32.

The groove 19 is dimensioned to accommodate the collar 32 when the lifting device is closed about the spout assembly.

Once closed the latch assembly locks the two C shaped members together about the spout collar 32 and the handles 11 serve to provide the lifting advantage.

FIG. 5 shows a keg 30, with a spout assembly 32 and a lifting device in position to engage and surround the collar of the spout. The handles 11 of the lifting device are shown to be grasped by an operator, who now has a lifting advantage for safely transporting the keg 30 to a desired location without fear of injury.

It is also noted that the spout assembly 32 is inserted into the tapping aperture 35 of the keg 30 by means of threaded assemblies. In this manner the spout or tap assembly 32 is firmly secured to the keg and provides a rugged and reliable foundation for operation with the jaw lifter device described above.

Typically, the dimensions of such collars about such spouts are from about 2 to 3 inches in diameter and appear as gear-like structures. Therefore the inside diameter of said annular structure is less than this dimension, while the height of the groove 19 is larger than the height of the collar.

The term diameter is used in its broad sense and can represent other geometric configurations.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the forms illustrated and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a beer keg of the type employing a spout assembly, said spout assembly being affixed to a surface of said keg and having a collar surrounding said spout,

in combination therewith apparatus for lifting said keg assembly without touching the surfaces of said keg. comprising,

a. two interpivoted components each having oppositely bowed jaw portions, each of said jaw portions having a groove along the entire length of the inside surface thereof, said grooves facing each other and arranged to form a continuous groove about the inside periphery of said jaw portions when said jaw portions are in a closed position defined by the ends of said jaw portions furthest removed from said pivot point being nearest each other, said groove being dimensioned to have a width slightly wider than the width of said collar, said bowed jaw portions in said closed position forming an annular member having an inside diameter less than the diameter of said collar, whereby when said jaw portions are in said closed position about said collar said groove is surrounding the periphery of said collar;

b. first and second handle assembly integrally formed with saidjaw portions for lifting said keg when said groove is surrounding said collar, and

c. first and second latch members, said first latch member coupled to one of said jaw portions at said furthest removed end and said second latch member coupled to said other ja w portion at said furthest removed end to coact with said first latch member when said jaws are in said closed position to firmly secure the same together when said keg is being lifted.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bowed jaw portions and said integrally formed handles are casted from a metallic material.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metallic material is aluminum.

4. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said inside diameter of said annular structure is between 2 and 3 inches. 

1. In a beer keg of the type employing a spout assembly, said spout assembly being affixed to a surface of said keg and having a collar surrounding said spout, in combination therewith apparatus for lifting said keg assembly without touching the surfaces of said keg, comprising, a. two interpivoted components each having oppositely bowed jaw portions, each of said jaw portions having a groove along the entire length of the inside surface thereof, said grooves facing each other and arranged to form a continuous groove about the inside periphery of said jaw portions when said jaw portions are in a closed position defined by the ends of said jaw portions furthest removed from said pivot point being nearest each other, said groove being dimensioned to have a width slightly wider than the width of said collar, said bowed jaw portions in said closed position forming an annular member having an inside diameter less than the diameter of said collar, whereby when said jaw portions are in said closed position about said collar said groove is surrounding the periphery of said collar; b. first and second handle assembly integrally formed with said jaw portions for lifting said keg when said groove is surrounding said collar, and c. first and second latch members, said first latch member coupled to one of said jaw portions at said furthest removed end and said second latch member coupled to said other jaw portion at said furthest removed end to coact with said first latch member when said jaws are in said closed position to firmly secure the same together when said keg is being lifted.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bowed jaw portions and said integrally formed handles are casted from a metallic material.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metallic material is aluminum.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said inside diameter of said annular structure is between 2 and 3 inches. 